Abstract

Background

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is common among cancer patients.
This paper reviews the use of CAM in a series of patients with locally advanced breast
cancer (LABC).

Methods

Women with LABC attending a specialist clinic at a single Canadian cancer centre were
identified and approached. Participants completed a self-administered survey regarding
CAM usage, beliefs associated with CAM usage, views of their risks of developing recurrent
cancer and of dying of breast cancer. Responses were scored and compared between CAM
users and non-users.

Results

Thirty-six patients were approached, 32 completed the questionnaire (response rate
89%). Forty-seven percent of LABC patients were identified as CAM users. CAM users
were more likely to be younger, married, in a higher socioeconomic class and of Asian
ethnicity than non-users. CAM users were likely to use multiple modalities simultaneously
(median 4) with vitamins being the most popular (60%). Motivation for CAM therapy
was described as, "assisting their body to heal" (75%), to 'boost the immune system'
(56%) and to "give a feeling of control with respect to their treatment" (56%). CAM
therapy was used concurrently with conventional treatment in 88% of cases, however,
12% of patients felt that CAM could replace their conventional therapy. Psychological
evaluation suggests CAM users perceived their risk of dying of breast cancer was similar
to that of the non-Cam group (33% vs. 35%), however the CAM group had less severe
anxiety and depression.

Conclusion

The motivation, objectives and benefits of CAM therapy in a selected population of
women with LABC are similar to those reported for women diagnosed with early stage
breast cancer. CAM users display less anxiety and depression and are less likely to
believe they will die of their breast cancer. However the actual benefit to overall
and disease free survival has yet to be demonstrated, as well as the possible interactions
with conventional therapy. Consequently more research is needed in this ever-growing
field.